Izel and her sister Kayra joined Niños Incapacitados back in 2011. Mom had just received distressing news that her husband was leaving her. She told him she was expecting another child but that did nothing to change his mind. Mom named her new daughter Izel as she said it means, “unique or one of a kind.”

Niños Incapacitados accepts two children per family. At birth Kayra was diagnosed with heart and lung problems which would require surgery when she was a little older. For the time being she was being monitored closely and prescribed a cocktail of medicines.

Shortly after birth, Izel was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which was once referred to as “water on the brain” but is actually cerebrospinal fluid. The most common treatment is the surgical insertion of a drainage system called a shunt to route the cerebrospinal fluid to other parts of the body. Izel will probably need this shunt system in place for the rest of her life.

Symptoms of normal hydrocephalus include problems with walking, impaired bladder control leading to urinary frequency and/or incontinence, as well as progressive mental impairment.

At age three Izel started having severe abdominal pains and after consulting with a specialist it was determined that she had an impaired bladder. Doctors operated and installed a urinary diversion and inserted a tube below her navel to urinate. A special diaper allows her to live a somewhat normal life. At the same time she started to fall and after a visit with an orthopedic surgeon, she has been outfitted with orthopedic shoes with inserts which have corrected this problem.

As Director of the Jocotopec Clinic, thank you again for the opportunity of presenting some of our children to you. Niños Incapacitados has changed their format in that we will not be holding monthly meetings. Please join us for our Meet the Children to be held on February 15, 2018 at the Real de Chapala Hotel with social hour starting at 10:00 am.

If you would like to learn more about Niños Incapacitados, please visit our website at www.programaniños.com or call Nicole Sergent 376-766-4375 or Barb Corol 376-766-5452.